That's because Rocky, as her service dog, is with her at all times, especially in her Grade 3 class at Bayridge Public School. So much so that the three-year-old golden retriever has his own desk and his picture is on the wall with all of the other students in her class.

Nine-year-old Emily, who has autism spectrum disorder and some co-ordination issues, uses Rocky for a variety of tasks while she's at school.

He can accompany her up and down stairs to help her with her balance and he can cuddle with her while she's reading in the library, but his most important two tasks are to help her focus on her school work and to be a social "bridge" to other students in the school, said her mother, Shera Lumsden.

"It gives her an opportunity for something to talk about to meet other kids. She's a real popular kid now that she has a dog."

Rocky came from COPE Service Dogs of Barrie. The service offers canines trained in a variety of jobs such as social/therapy, public access, facility dogs and home help mates.

At a meeting Wednesday at the school, members of the group Delta Kappa Gamma met with school officials, Emily and her family and other interested parties for an information-sharing session and to promote perhaps more service dogs in Kingstonarea schools.

Emily is currently the only student at Bayridge with a service dog. Another dog may go to the school to help another child in the future.

Delta Kappa Gamma is an international group of women that looks at various issues in education.

"The program does provide students who require the assistance of a service dog to have their needs met in a school setting,' said Carolyn Closs, vice-principal of Bayridge Public School. "It allows them to fully participate in all the activities of a school day."

"A key role that the dogs play is to calm the anxiety," said Lumsden. "It's a different feeling when you walk into a classroom with a dog in it. It gets more relaxed, it's fun, everybody's smiling, the dog is cute and that's what we find, that's everyone's happier."

"He's a social bridge, so if she doesn't interact with the other kids, (the dog) has a meet-and-greet and they shake a paw.

Closs said the other students are aware that Rocky is there to help Emily.

"They realize Rocky is at work and they respect that. He's pretty focused on helping Emily. He's a calm presence in the school."

But Emily says fellow students can approach Rocky while he's working.

"He's not really like a seeing eye dog is -- you can pet him'" she said. "All you have to do is shake his paw and you can pet him."

"I've always wanted a dog and I got him, and Rocky is tons bet-t er than any other dog," said Emily. "When I feel sad he can sometimes come up on the couch to cuddle."

Lumsden said that having Rocky with Emily at school the last two years has helped Emily feel that she's part of the school.

"We only went to school part time when we first started." said Lumsden of the time before they had Rocky. "It was tough because kids with autism spectrum disorder don't automatically go to kids, they don't form bonds like we all do and so it's a very isolating thing.

"So, having a dog, it attaches to you and it's a topic of conversation. Then the kids start talking and say, 'Oh, you have autism, oh, I see, but you have a cool dog.' "

Emily enjoys the fact that Rocky sit or lies beside her all day at his own desk, with his own supplies. "He has his own pencil case full of treats."